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Abstract:

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light
source, a light guide, a display unit and a frame. The light source
provides a light beam. The light guide includes a light emitting surface
and a light entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light
guide through the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light
emitting surface. The display unit is corresponding to the light emitting
surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light
guide, passes through the display unit to display an image. The frame
covers the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a
display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the
display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the light
guide toward the transparent portion and passes through the transparent
portion.

Claims:

1. An electronic device, comprising: a light source, providing a light
beam; a light guide, comprising a light emitting surface and a light
entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through
the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light emitting
surface; a display unit, corresponding to the light emitting surface; a
fixing frame, fixing the light guide and the display unit, wherein the
fixing frame has a frame edge, the frame edge defines an image light area
and an invalid light area of the light guide, the invalid light area
surrounds the image light area, and the light beam partially passes
through the image light area and the display unit to display an image; an
ambiance light guiding unit, corresponding to the light guide; and a
cover frame, covering the fixing frame, wherein the cover frame has a
display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the
display portion, and the light beam partially passes through the light
guide, guided by the ambiance light guiding unit and is emitted from the
transparent portion.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light beam is
emitted from the light guide, passes through the display unit and the
ambiance light guiding unit, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding
unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light beam is
emitted from the image light area, and passes through the display unit
and the ambiance light guiding unit, and is guided by the ambiance light
guiding unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light beam is
emitted from the invalid light area, enters the ambiance light guiding
unit, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding unit to be emitted from
the transparent portion.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing frame
is a metal frame.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover frame
is a plastic frame.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light guide
comprises an image light reflective portion and an ambiance light
reflective portion, the image light reflective portion is located in the
image light area, the ambiance light reflective portion is located in the
invalid light area, a plurality of image light reflective protrusions is
formed in the image light reflective portion, a plurality of ambiance
light reflective protrusions is formed in the ambiance light reflective
portion, and density of the ambiance light reflective protrusions is
greater than density of the image light reflective protrusions.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
reflector, wherein the ambiance light guiding unit is partially located
between the reflector and the transparent portion, and the light beam in
the ambiance light guiding unit is reflected by the reflector to be
emitted from the transparent portion.

10. An electronic device, comprising: a light source, providing a light
beam; a light guide, comprising a light emitting surface and a light
entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through
the light entering surface, emitted from the light emitting surface, the
light guide has an image light area and an invalid light area, and a
decay ratio of the light beam in the invalid light area is 0.about.15% or
85.about.100%; a display unit, corresponding to the light emitting
surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the image light
area, and passes through the display unit to display an image; an
ambiance light guiding unit, corresponding to the light guide; and a
frame, covering the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame
has a display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed
in the display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the
light guide, guided by the ambiance light guiding unit and is emitted
from the transparent portion.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the decay ratio
of the light beam in the invalid light area is 0.about.10% or
90.about.100%.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the decay ratio
of the light beam in the invalid light area is 0.about.5% or
95.about.100%.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light beam
is emitted from the light guide, passes through the display unit and the
ambiance light guiding unit, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding
unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light beam
is emitted from the image light area, passes through the display unit and
the ambiance light guiding unit, and is guided by the ambiance light
guiding unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light beam
is emitted from the invalid light area, enters the ambiance light guiding
unit, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding unit to be emitted from
the transparent portion.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fixing
frame is a metal frame.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover frame
is a plastic frame.

19. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light guide
comprises an image light reflective portion and an ambiance light
reflective portion, the image light reflective portion is located in the
image light area, the ambiance light reflective portion is located in the
invalid light area, a plurality of image light reflective protrusions is
formed in the image light reflective portion, a plurality of ambiance
light reflective protrusions is formed in the ambiance light reflective
portion, and density of the ambiance light reflective protrusions is
greater than density of the image light reflective protrusions.

20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a
reflector, wherein the ambiance light guiding unit is partially located
between the reflector and the transparent portion, and the light beam in
the ambiance light guiding unit is reflected by the reflector to be
emitted from the transparent portion.

21. An electronic device, comprising: a light source, providing a light
beam; a light guide, comprising a light emitting surface and a light
entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through
the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light emitting
surface; a display unit, corresponding to the light emitting surface,
wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide, passes
through the display unit to display an image; and a frame, covering the
display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a display portion
and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the display portion,
and the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide toward the
transparent portion and passes through the transparent portion.

22. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the light beam
is partially emitted from the light guide, passes through the display
unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

23. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the light guide
has an image light area and an invalid light area, a decay ratio of the
light beam in the invalid light area is 0.about.15% or 85.about.100%, and
the light beam is emitted from the invalid light area toward the
transparent portion.

24. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising an
ambiance light guiding unit corresponding to the light guide, wherein the
light beam is partially emitted from the light guide, passes through the
ambiance light guiding unit to be emitted from the transparent portion.

25. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the light
emitting surface is perpendicular to the light entering surface.

26. The electronic device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the light
emitting surface is parallel to the light entering surface.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No.
099116635, filed on May 25, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated
by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in
particular relates to an electronic device with ambiance light.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] For a conventional display, to provide ambiance light, an
additional light source (for example, a light emitting diode) is
required. Similarly, to light a logo or a function key of a display, an
additional light source (for example, a light emitting diode) is also
required. Therefore, costs are increased for conventional displays.
Additionally, for a conventional display, the color and brightness
variation of ambiance light is limited by the light emitting diode, and
thus the patterns of illumination are also limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a
light source, a light guide, a display unit and a frame. The light source
provides a light beam. The light guide includes a light emitting surface
and a light entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light
guide through the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light
emitting surface. The display unit is corresponding to the light emitting
surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light
guide, passes through the display unit to display an image. The frame
covers the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a
display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the
display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the light
guide toward the transparent portion and passes through the transparent
portion.

[0007] Utilizing the embodiment of the invention, the ambiance light
through the transparent portion is obtained from the light guide, and
therefore no additional light source (light emitting diode) is required.
Additionally, the display unit is along the light path of the ambiance
light. The color and brightness of the ambiance light can be modified by
the display unit to provide various illumination patterns.

[0008] A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the
subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an electronic device (display device) of a first
embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 shows an electronic device of a second embodiment of the
invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 shows an electronic device of a third embodiment of the
invention;

[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of the electronic device of the
embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following description is one of the contemplated modes of
carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of
illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be
taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined
by reference to the appended claims.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an electronic device (display device) 100 of a first
embodiment of the invention, including a backlight module 110, a display
unit 120, a fixing frame 130, an ambiance light guiding unit 141 and a
cover frame 150. The backlight module 110 includes a light source 111 and
a light guide 112. The light source 111 provides a light beam 10. The
light guide 112 includes a light emitting surface 113 and a light
entering surface 114. The light emitting surface 113 is perpendicular to
the light entering surface 114. The light beam 10 enters the light guide
112 through the light entering surface 114, and is emitted from the light
emitting surface 113. The display unit 120 is corresponding to the light
emitting surface 113. The light beam 10 partially passes through the
display unit 120 to display an image. The fixing frame 130 fixes the
backlight module 110 and the display unit 120. The ambiance light guiding
unit 141 is corresponding to the light guide 112. The cover frame 150
covers the fixing frame 130, wherein the cover frame 150 has a display
portion 152 and a transparent portion 151. The image is displayed in the
display portion 152, and the light beam 10 partially passes through the
light guide 112, guided by the ambiance light guiding unit 141 and is
emitted from the transparent portion 151 to be ambiance light.

[0016] In one embodiment, the light beam 10 is emitted from the light
guide 112, passes through the display unit 120 and the ambiance light
guiding unit 141, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding unit 141 to
be emitted from the transparent portion 151.

[0017] Utilizing the first embodiment of the invention, the ambiance light
through the transparent portion is obtained from the light guide, and
therefore no additional light source (light emitting diode) is required.
Additionally, the display unit is in the light path of the ambiance
light. The color and brightness of the ambiance light can be modified by
the display unit to provide various illumination patterns.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the fixing frame 130 has a frame edge 131,
the frame edge 131 defines an image light area Ai and an invalid light
area Aa on the light guide 112, and the invalid light area Aa surrounds
the image light area Ai. The image light area Ai is rectangular. Most
part of the light beam 10 passes through the image light area Ai and the
display unit 120 to display the image. Simultaneously, less part of the
light beam 10 is emitted from the image light area Ai, passing through
the display unit 120, guided by the ambiance light guiding unit 141, and
is emitted from the transparent portion 151. In the first embodiment, the
light entering the ambiance light guiding unit 141 is emitted from the
image light area Ai.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the display unit 120 includes a liquid
crystal layer, the fixing frame 130 is a metal frame, and the cover frame
150 is a plastic frame.

[0020] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 further includes a
reflector 142, wherein the ambiance light guiding unit 141 is partially
located between the reflector 142 and the transparent portion 151. The
light beam 10 enters the ambiance light guiding unit 141, reflected by
the reflector 142, and is emitted from the transparent portion 151.
However, the invention is not limited. In one embodiment, a reflective
means (for example, a reflective pattern) can be formed on the surface of
the ambiance light guiding unit 141, and the reflector can be omitted.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows an electronic device 100' of a second embodiment of
the invention, which is characteristic in that the fixing frame 130' is
also an external member, and the cover frame is omitted. In this
embodiment, the light beam 10 is emitted from the invalid light area Aa,
passes through the display unit 120, enters the ambiance light guiding
unit 141, and is guided by the ambiance light guiding unit 141 to be
emitted from the transparent portion 132. In the second embodiment, the
light entering the ambiance light guiding unit 141 is obtained from the
invalid light area Aa, wherein the light beam provided by the light
source 111 is sufficiently used. Conventionally, the light emitted from
the invalid light area Aa may generate a bright or dark spot, and is not
utilized for displaying images. Additionally, decay ratio of the light
beam 10 can also be utilized for defining invalid light area Aa. In the
description of the invention, decay ratio of the light beam 10 is 0% when
a distance from the light source 111 is zero. The decay ratio of the
light beam 10 in the invalid light area Aa is 0˜15% or
85˜100%

[0022] In a modified example, while the light entering the ambiance light
guiding unit 141 is emitted from the invalid light area Aa, a cover frame
may still be utilized. The embodiments do not limit the invention.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows an electronic device 100'' of a third embodiment of
the present invention, which is characteristic in that the ambiance light
guiding unit is omitted. The fixing frame 130' has a display portion 133
and a transparent portion 132. The light beam 10 partially passes through
the image light area Ai and the display unit 120 to display an image,
wherein the image is displayed at the display portion 133. The light beam
10 partially passes through the invalid light area Aa and the display
unit 120 then emitted from the transparent portion 132.

[0024] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, side-lit backlight module is
utilized in the electronic device. However, the invention is not limited
thereto, and a direct-lit backlight module or other type backlight module
can also be utilized in the electronic device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows the electronic device utilizing any type of backlight
module.

[0025] In the embodiments above, the light beam emitted from the invalid
light area Aa passes through the display unit to become ambiance light.
However, the invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the
light beam emitted from the invalid light area Aa does not pass through
the display unit. In this embodiment, the light beam provided by the
light source is also sufficiently used.

[0026] In one embodiment, the light guide includes in the bottom an image
light reflective portion and an ambiance light reflective portion. The
image light reflective portion is located in the image light area. The
ambiance light reflective portion is located in the invalid light area. A
plurality of image light reflective protrusions is formed in the image
light reflective portion. A plurality of ambiance light reflective
protrusions is formed in the ambiance light reflective portion. Density
of the ambiance light reflective protrusions is greater than the density
of the image light reflective protrusions.

[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of the electronic device 100 of the
embodiments of the present invention. The transparent portion 151 can be
protrusions of any shape, logo, or other transparent elements. The
embodiments above do not limit the invention.

[0028] While the invention has been described by way of example and in
terms of the embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended
to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be
apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the
appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.